NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Actress Octavia Spencer just wants kids to "be who they are" and not worry about blending in with society.

It's a simple yet powerful message that's echoed in the new IFC Films drama "A Kid Like Jake". The film centers around a four-year old boy named Jake who struggles to understand what society expects of him because of his gender.

"It's just a little boy who likes beautiful things. Who like to dress up," Spencer told our Rebecca Granet. "If people find something wrong with that, I think, that's where the conversation needs to begin."

Jake's parents, played by Jim Parsons and Claire Danes, championed Spencer's message in real life, but in the film, they're just two parents trying to figure out what's best for their son. Jake's gender nonconformity puts them in some precarious situations that Parson's says had a very "natural" tone.

"The overwhelming thing was the natural, honest, so relatable, tone, and tenor of these conversations these people were having, Parsons said. "I was eager to take part in this conversation and I wanted them to come across as authentically as they did on the page when I read the, and I think that they did."

One of the more authentic and emotional scenes of the film comes towards the end between Parsons and Danes. The couple argue over complications in their marriage.

"That's such a beautifully crafted scene," Danes said. "It's really, really hard to craft a fight like that. I just so identify, sadly. I still recognize that exchange and the way that awful argument can escalate, and how without even thinking, will say the most hurtful thing imaginable."

Danes added she felt "privileged" to have had the chance to bring that to scene to life.

"We all will have that experience at some point in our lives. It's always scary, and to get some reassurance that that's actually pretty common I think is really valuable. That's largely why I do what we do."

To hear more about the film and find out who played Boggle on set, check out the videos above.

"A Kid Like Jake" premiered at Sundance Film Festival and hits theaters June 1st.